1966 Aston Martin DB6

The first product introduced under new owner David Brown was the Aston Martin 2-Litre Sport, retrospectively known as the DB1. It was introduced in 1948 at the London Motor Show and just 15 examples were sold. Next came the DB2 in 1950 powered by a comparatively advanced dual overhead camshaft 2.6-liter straight-six Lagonda engine designed by W.O. Bentley. With dual SU carburetors, the engine offered 105 horsepower. A Vantage option added higher compression ratio pistons, larger carburetors, and 125 horsepower. Production continued through 1953 with 411 examples built during that time.

The DB2 was replaced in 1953 by the DB2/4 grand tourer offered as a 2+2 hatchback saloon, 2-seat fixed head coupe, and a drophead coupe (DHC). 565 examples were Mark I models and 199 were Mark IIs, distinguished by modifications to the styling. The Mark II was also available with an optional large-valve, high compression engine with 165 horsepower.

The DB 2/4 Mark III followed in 1957, more commonly known as the DB Mark III, and remained in production through 1959 with 551 examples built. Power was from the 2.9-liter Lagonda straight-6 engine with twin SU carburetors and delivering 162 horsepower. Girling disc brakes were fitted as standard to the front wheels of all Mark III Astons after the first 100 had been made. Worm-and-sector steering and a live axle rear end were carryovers. The hydraulically operated clutch was a new feature, and an optional Laycock-de Normanville overdrive that was attached to the standard four-speed gearbox after the first 100 cars or even an automatic transmission was available.

While the previous DB models had been evolutions of previous models, the DB4 of 1958 was new, resting on a 98-inch wheelbase and having a length of 177-inches. (The previous DB Mark III had a 99-inch wheelbase and 172-inch wheelbase). The DB MK III had a tubular chassis while the new DB4 received a platform chassis and was clothed with lightweight Superleggera coachwork by Touring in Milan. Under the bonnet was a 3.7-liter straight-6 engine designed by Tadek Marek and featured double overhead camshafts, an aluminum alloy block and cylinder head, twin SU carburetors, and delivering 240 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. Servo-assisted disc brakes were fitted all round, and the front suspension was independent with ball-jointed wishbones and coil springs. In the back was a live axle with coil springs and a Watt's linkage. Production of the DB4 continued through 1963 with 1,204 examples built including 56 examples of the DB4 GT and 19 of the DB4 GT Zagato.

The Aston Martin DB5 of 1963 was an evolution of its predecessor, with the principal difference being a displacement increase from 3.7 to 4.0-liters, three SU carburetors, and a new ZF five-speed transmission. The engine now delivered 282 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque and had a top speed of 145 mph. Standard equipment included wool pile carpeting, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, oil cooler, magnesium-alloy body built by Touring, chrome wire wheels, reclining seats. Among the list of optional equipment was a BorgWarner 3-speed automatic transmission. Production of the DB5 continued through 1965 with 1,059 units built.

Aston Martin DB6

Aston Martin introduced the DB6 at the London Motor Show in 1965 and it continued David Brown's vision for a 'Gentleman's Express' Grand Touring automobile. It wore hand-formed aluminum coachwork with covered headlamps and a new aero-efficient Kamm tail with an integral spoiler. Its wheelbase was slightly longer, now measuring 101.5-inches, up from 98 inches of the DB5. Its length measured 182 inches, slightly longer than the 179.9-inches of its predecessor. The larger platform provided more comfort for the occupants, as did the slightly raised roofline. There was a more steeply raked windscreen, split front and rear bumpers, and standard chrome wire wheels wrapped with bias-ply whitewall tires (for the U.S.-destined examples). New features added to the options list included power steering and air conditioning. The ZF five-speed manual transmission was standard while the BorgWarner three-speed automatic was available at no additional cost.

The 3,995cc twin-overhead camshaft (DOHC) inline straight-6 engine was designed by Tadek Marek and breathed through triple SU carburetors and delivered 282 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. The Vantage specification had higher compression (9.4:1 compared to 8.9:1) and boosted output to 325 bhp.

The steering was by a rack and pinion setup with optional power assist, and the rear suspension used helical coil springs with ride control that was adjustable within the car. The DB6 used body-on-platform construction compared to the full superleggera construction techniques used on the previous DB5, increasing the weight by seventeen pounds. This construction was used due to the extended rear requiring a stronger and more rigid design utilizing a folded sheet metal supporting structure.

The DB6 was produced in MK 1 form until 1969; on August 21st of 1969, Aston Martin announced the DB6 Mark II, distinguished by wider tires on 1/2-inch wider wheels, and flared wheel arches. An AE Brico electronic fuel-injection system was optional along with a higher compression ratio cylinder head. Several parts used on the then-new DBS were incorporated into the DB6 MK2.

At the 1966 London Motor Show, a convertible body style was offered, dubbed the Volante. A total of 140 examples were built, including 29 of the higher-specification Vantage. Additionally, around six or seven Shooting Brakes were built by British coachbuilder Harold Radford, with three by FLM Panelcraft.

The Aston Martin DB6 was built from 1965 to 1970 with 1,788 examples built. The DB6 did not have an immediate successor, although the DB7 followed in September of 1994 and over 7,000 examples were built by the time production ceased in December of 2004.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2021